The Electoral Commission (EC) needs Shs 155 billion to start re-organizing and demarcating polling stations all over the country come next month.
Last year in December EC launched its Strategic Plan and Road map for the 2020/21 general elections which are to consume over Shs 868 billion. The needed amount is almost doubling the Shs 500 billion which was spent in 2016 general elections.
According to EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, the new amount was due to increased creation of many new districts and other administrative units.
While in a consulting meeting on Monday at the commission’s headquarters on Jinja Road, Byabakama said, “We need about Shs 155 billion because beginning with March this year we are embarking on a strategic plan of reorganizing and demarcating polling stations across the country. This is the foundation of election processes.”
“Our overall budget is between Shs 700 billion-800 billion but since it is difficult for the country to meet such a budget in one financial year, we decided to phase it in at least three financial years. But now we need the Shs 155 billion to begin as soon as possible,” he added.
The EC road map chart states that the number of districts has increased by 29 above 112 districts as compared to last elections
This provides an opening for 29 new district Woman Members of Parliament (MP), the number of municipalities has increased to 80, each of which is a parliamentary constituency.
In total, the commission is preparing elections for over 440 MPs in over 602 new sub-counties.
Over 7,000 new polling stations will be demarcated.
Do you have a story in your community or an opinion to share with us: Email us at editorial@watchdoguganda.com
